Adjectives in English

Degrees of Comparison There are three degrees: Superlative Comparative highest Superlative higher Comparative high Basic

One-syllable Adjectives Usually, the ending er/est is simply added to the positive form of the adjective. For example: fast - faster strong - stronger tall - tallest young - youngest When an adjective ends in a silent e, the silent e is dropped before the ending er/est is added. e.g.: brave - braver - bravest close - closer - closest late - later - latest

When an adjective ends in y preceded by a consonant, the y is changed to i before the ending er/est is added. e.g.: dry - drier-driest; easy - easier-easiest When an adjective ends in a CVC and the last consonant is other than w, x or y or a double vowel - we double the final consonant before adding er/est is added. e.g.: big - bigger-biggest (hot - hotter sad - saddest but: e.g.: loud - louder; neat - neater; soon - sooner

Two and more syllable adjectives Adjectives of 2 or more syllables (unless it ends with r or y), we make superior by using: the most / the least adjective noun. This book is the most / the least interesting book I have ever read.

Two and more syllable adjectives Adjectives of 2 or more syllables (unless it ends with r or y), we compare by using: noun verb more / less ____ than noun. This book is more interesting than that book. My ad is less convincing than your ad.

Irregular Forms of Comparison the best better than good the worst worse than bad the farthest / furthest farther / further than far the least less than little the fewest fewer than few the most more than many/much MJH_teacher

Adjective Order

Fact Adjectives

Opinion + Fact Adjectives

Suffixation giving… helpful -less without fearless -ful having… useful giving… helpful -less without fearless -ly having the qualities of cowardly -like ‘’ childlike -y like… creamy covered with… hairy -ish belonging to Turkish having the character foolish -ian in the tradition of Darwinian

Other adjective suffixes: -able/-ible = worthy/able: readable/edible -ish = somewhat youngish -ed = having balconied

Adjective suffixes meaning “having the characteristics of…/ peculiar to…/ full of ….” -al criminal (also –ial editorial and –ical musical -ic heroic -ive attractive (also – ative affirmative and -itive sensitive -ous virtuous (also –eous courteous and –ious vivacious

(difference in meaning) Suffixation NOTE! -ic vs. -ical (difference in meaning) an economic miracle ( in the economy) the car is economical to run ( money-saving) a historic building (with a history) historical research (pertaining to history)

Adjectives as Nouns = Substantivized Adjectives Fully substantivized – have all characteristics of a noun a native - the natives, a Russian - the Russians, a German - the Germans. Partially substantivized – are used as nouns only to show a group, many the rich, the unemployed, the good, the evil, the beau­tiful, the English.